Ash and Team Rocket came to Unova. Ash meets Professor Juniper. Pikachu becomes temporarily unable to use Electric-type attacks after being hit by lightning caused by Zekrom. Ash meets Trip, his new rival. Trip obtains a Snivy from Professor Juniper.

In the Shadow of Zekrom is the first episode of Pokémon: Black and White, where Ash and Pikachu get ready to start a new journey in the Unova region. Ash also gets a new outfit, like in previous seasons.

Contents

Episode Plot

Once again Ash sets his sights on a new region and a new adventure. He, his mom, and Prof. Oak set out on a plane to Unova. At the same time, Jessie, James and Meowth of Team Rocket are given an assignment by Giovanni to Unova. Upon arrival in Unova (Nuvema Town), Ash sees an Alomomola but then Jessie, James and Meowth appear and try to capture Pikachu. They would've suceeded, but Zekrom appears and strikes Pikachu with lightning. When Zekrom vanishes and the storm that came with it clears up, it shows that Jessie, James and Meowth have vanished as well.

Ash and Pikachu visit Prof. Juniper's lab, and there they meet Prof. Juniper. After informing Ash about the Unova region, she updates his Pokédex for Unova's unique Pokémon. Afterwards, Trip appears and is given his choice of a starter. Out of Tepig, Snivy, and Oshawott, he chooses Snivy, gets his Poké Balls, and his Pokédex. Ash challenges Trip, and battles him outside the Pokémon Center.

In the battle, Ash finds his Pikachu can't use Electric-Type Attacks. After a brief battle, Pikachu losing to Snivy's Leaf Tornado, Ash returns to the Lab and lets Prof. Juniper know. She then hooks Pikachu up to a machine that will restore its attacks. Zekrom then returns and strikes the lab with lightning.

Debuts

Quotes

"There, perfect." - Delia after straightening Ash's hat.

Professor Oak: "Let's hit the road."

Ash: "Why are you dressed like that?"
Professor Oak: "Oh this? To get everyone in the vacationing mood. It's been years since I visited the Unova Region."
Delia: "But this is work related, right Professor?"
Professor Oak: "Yes, but when I'm inbetween conferences it's my time. So in you go."
Ash: "You heard what he said, right Pikachu?"
Pikachu: "Pikachu."

Giovanni: "Now once again, what is Team Rocket's number one goal?"

Jessie: "Sir! Our goal is to capture powerful Pokémon."
James: "Pokemon that are powerful and rare."
Meowth: "And to use them to take over the world."

Jessie: "Hmmm. Imagine running into the twerp at a time like this."

Meowth: "And the world's most powerful Pikachu too. With Pikachu we can't lose."
James: "A win straight out of the box. Here's to success."

Ash: "Huh?"
Professor Oak: "What do you know. Professor Juniper."
Professor Juniper: "I'm sorry I was so late. How are you getting on after that huge thunderstorm?"
Professor Oak: "We're just fine Professor, thank you. I'd like you to meet Professor Juniper, and don't let the youthfulness of one of the most important Unova Region researchers fool you."
Professor Juniper: "Pleasure to meet you."

"Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pichu. Pikachu's tail is sometimes struck by lightning as it raises it to check its surroundings." - Unova Pokédex

"Snivy, go get 'em now!" - Trip calling out Snivy.

Ash: "Why are you always taking pictures?"

Trip takes some pictures.
Trip: "I'm recording my journey, and remember this is Snivy's first battle."
Ash: "And this is our first battle in the Unova Region, so we'll go first."

"Okay, is this some kind of strategy? Calling moves that you can't even use?" - Trip

"That again." - Iris

Professor Juniper: "Could the source of those clouds be Zekrom? The legendary Pokémon?"

Ash: "Zekrom?"
Professor Juniper: "Zekrom's quite a legend in these parts. From within its thundercloud, Zekrom watches over people and Pokémon. And its lightning bolts, are said to be judgments from up above and they're also the pillars that hold up the skies."

Trivia

"Who's that Pokémon?" returns after being on hiatus since the end of season 6, and the first of many of these is the new Unova region Pokémon Pidove.

The Deerling in this episode were in Spring Form indicating that the episode takes place in springtime.

Lisa Ortiz returns as a regular for the BW series providing the voice of Oshawott as well as the voice of the Pokédex.

Marc Thompson returns to voice Tepig, while Jason Griffith also returns to do the voice of Trip's Snivy.

The flight number Ash took from Kanto to Unova was "Flight 151" referencing the original 151 Pokémon.

Errors

An error on Ash's Pikachu's ear.

Pikachu's ears are at both sides, but in one scene only one of his ears were black and the other one was colored completely yellow.

The Japanese narrator starts off as they do at the beginning of the series and movies by explaining what 'Pokémon' stands for. The English dub skips the 'Pocket Monsters' explanation part.

Sakaki in the Japanese original specifically states that the plan is to 'take over the world'. Giovanni in the English dub just states that the Unova region is vital to completing Team Rocket's plan.

Giovanni: A major new stepping-stone that will move us toward the successful completion of our plan.
Sakaki: This place is to become a new foothold in our plan to conquer the world.
（サカキ）: 我がロケット団世界征服計画の新たな足がかりとなる場所だ。

The English dub added an extra line for the Air Traffic Control man.

Air Traffic Control: You are cleared for landing.

The reference to the thundercloud being like God's eye (神の目) was removed from the English dub.

Professor Juniper: From within its thundercloud, Zekrom watches over people and Pokémon.
Professor Araragi: The huge thundercloud is a god's eye protecting people and Pokémon.
（アララギ）: 巨大な雷雲は人とポケモンを見守る神の目。

The 'Who's that Pokémon?' segment returns as the commercial eye catch in the English dub.